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CONTACT 13: What to do if you own a Samsung Galaxy Note 7

Posted at 6:00 PM, Sep 12, 2016
and last updated 2016-09-12 22:10:29-04
If you own a Samsung Galaxy Note 7, turn it off and return your phone to the store where you bought it. That's the message from Samsung and the Consumer Product Safety Commission. Contact 13 has more on what you need to know about this major recall.
 
Samsung's Galaxy Note 7 has problems with overheating batteries. The company is recalling more than 2 million devices after reports of some phones exploding. So here's what you need to know: If you have the Note 7, you can replace your phone right now.
 
"Samsung is telling me to do whatever the customer wants. If the customer wants to return it and go to a different product, to do that," says Verizon Wireless Store Manager Robert Wilson.
 
He says customers can trade-in their phones for Samsung's Galaxy S7, S7 Edge, or any other device. Customers will be refunded for any price difference. In a statement, Samsung tells Contact 13 for the inconvenience, customers "will also receive a $25 gift card, in-store credit or bill credit from select carrier retail outlets." Customers we spoke with, say they're not worried about their battery overheating.
 
"I think that the Apple could do the same thing, or any of the other ones," says Karen, a Verizon customer.
 
Robert says no one's returned their Note 7 to his store. And he thinks he knows why.
 
"From the feedback I've seen, it's actually people using the wrong kind of charger. Because it's a really good battery in the Note 7," says Robert.
 
He believes people are using cheap battery chargers from unauthorized dealers. Either way, Samsung isn't taking any chances. In a statement, the company says it's "asking users to power down their Galaxy Note 7s and exchange them as soon as possible." 
 
There is an online rumor that Samsung plans to remotely deactivate all Galaxy Note 7 phones already sold. Contact 13 asked about that, but Samsung had no comment.